Actions pour la Biodiversité et Gestion des Terroirs

Actions for Biodiversity and Land Management

For more information, contact: Phon e : + 23 7 9 6 7 0 2 7 9 1 / +2 37 90 39 32 10 - s i te w eb : www.a b iog et .or g , E - m ai l : co nta ct@ ab iog e t .or g

Article No2

Author: C. Sofalne

October, 2012

Problems with wood as an energy source in the far north region of Cameroon

More than 80% of the population uses fuelwood as a domestic energy source.

Over the past three decades, the Extreme North region of Cameroon has been facing the biggest

crisis in its history due to the issue of fuelwood use. Wood harvesting and charcoal production are

the most important forms of exploitation and deforestation of forested regions. In fact, wood is the

main source of domestic energy in this region where people consider domestic gas use to be

dangerous. Several surveys showed that over 80% of households in this part of Cameroon are

dependent on fuelwood (PAN/LCD, 2006). Having no alternative energy source because of poverty,

people are obliged to attack forests already in a degraded state. Women and children in particular

are the most affected by this problem. Women and children may walk many kilometers each day to

harvest wood, which results in an increase in their already high household workload.

Each inhabitant consumes at least 0.8 kg of fuelwood per day, more than 80% of which is harvested from forests.

Shepherds also cut down trees to feed their animals Felled trees in the forest

The different modes of transport of fuelwood: by trucks or animals

For more information, contact: Phon e : + 23 7 9 6 7 0 2 7 9 1 / +2 37 90 39 32 10 - s i te w eb : www.a b iog et .or g , E - m ai l : co nta ct@ ab iog e t .or g

2

According to a study by Mountain in 1997, each inhabitant consumes at least 0.8 kg of fuelwood per

day in the Extreme North region. The population census of Cameroon carried out in 2010 counted

3,480,414 inhabitants for this region. The minimum annual consumption in this region can be

estimated at 1,016,281 tons of fuelwood, or about 422,569 m3. The area deforested for this timber,

of which more than 80% is harvested from forests, ends up being about 428,811 ha/year. According

to estimates by Clement (1982), the productivity of natural forests in the savannas of northern

Cameroon is estimated to be between 0.32 and 0.93 m3/ha/year, which allows us to conclude that

the annual removal of wood for fuel far surpasses the capacity of forest regeneration. This largely

explains the problems of deforestation, desertification, of degradation of forest biodiversity and of

climate change in the region.

ABIOGeT encourages the use of improved cookstoves as a solution.

Since its inception in 2004, ABIOGeT (Actions for Biodiversity and Land Management) has always

been interested in the issue of fuelwood use and has therefore encouraged people to make efforts

to use of improved cookstoves and to plant trees. ABIOGeT organizes informational and awakened

campaigns and trains people on issues related to deforestation, desertification, etc.

As part of this ongoing battle, in 2007 ABIOGeT signed a protocol agreement with Cameroon’s

Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection (MINEP) to implement a project to promote the use

improved cookstoves in the North and Far North provinces of Cameroon. As part of this project, a

study (Sofalne, 2007) was conducted in order to establish a baseline on the use of wood for energy

and to assess the real needs of households for improved cookstoves and newly planted trees.

One of the recommendations of this study was to organize workshops to demonstrate various

cookstoves tests in all the chief centers of the departments of the region so that they could educate

households on the use of improved cookstoves. Of the improved cookstoves tested during the

demonstration workshops and in the laboratory, the "Centrafricain" or "Bangui" cookstoves made

by local craftsmen from metal sheets were revealed as more efficient in terms of saving wood and

lifetime use (they can last more than five years. The Bangui improved cookstove is able to

accomplish the following:

Bangui improved cookstoves produced and ready for use Traditional cookstoves

For more information, contact: Phon e : + 23 7 9 6 7 0 2 7 9 1 / +2 37 90 39 32 10 - s i te w eb : www.a b iog et .or g , E - m ai l : co nta ct@ ab iog e t .or g

3

Reduce at least 50% of wood consumption compared to traditional cookstoves

Save money spent on fuelwood

Reduce the time spent by women and children to collect wood in forests and to cook

Avoid the risk of burns of women and children during cooking

Prevent fires and diseases caused by the emission of smoke during cooking activities

Create jobs and is a source of income for artisans

And finally, help to prolong the use of forest dedicated to timber harvesting.

All families in the project area "Forests without Borders”/ABIOGeT" and those of the surrounding villages will be equipped with Bangui improved cookstoves.

Use of a improved cookstove Use of a traditional cookstove with three stones

Awareness workshop for women on the use

of improved cookstoves

Craftsmen manufacturing cookstoves

For more information, contact: Phon e : + 23 7 9 6 7 0 2 7 9 1 / +2 37 90 39 32 10 - s i te w eb : www.a b iog et .or g , E - m ai l : co nta ct@ ab iog e t .or g

4

Seventy-four improved cookstoves have already been distributed in Karabiwa

Currently and unfortunately, many families in the region still use traditional cookstoves and are

unable to access this new product. This is due to either their low monetary income or a lack of

information. As part of project "Forests without Borders” / ABIOGeT implemented at Karabiwa in

the Mayo-Sava region, an agreement was formed between the Regional Delegation of the

Environment, the Protection and Sustainability of the Extreme North, and ABIOGeT for the purpose

to provide all the families of the Karabiwa project site, as well as the surrounding villages of Bangui,

with improved cookstoves. These cookstoves are produced through the “Operation Sahel-Vert”

project thanks to public Cameroonian funds. Currently Seventy-four Bangui improved cookstoves

were distributed to 74 households in Karabiwa, or about 444 people benefit.

Financing of the ABIOGeT activities

ABIOGeT activities are funded entirely through government programs, agreements with non-

governmental organizations, private donations and the sale of trees produced in our nursery

located in Maroua, Cameroon.

Awareness workshop for women on the use of improved

Craftsmen manufacturing cookstoves

Distribution of improved cookstoves to women of Karabiwa village